Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford have all had Sordell in their ranks

Three of those were even signed by Premier League sides, showing the scale of opportunity for those who shine.

Burton striker Marvin Sordell is one standout example of a player who thought his footballing ambitions were over until an Exit Trial rescued them.

Sordell had been released by Fulham in 2007 and was considering alternative career paths.

He revealed: “I was thinking of becoming a chef or I’d have carried on with athletics because, at that age, I was a sprinter in school and had just won the county championship.

“There were three Exit Trials across the country and my mum drove me to all of them.

“All I was thinking beforehand was to give my all because if I didn’t, and nothing came of it, then I would have sold myself short.

“That could have been my last involvement in professional football all together. It’s a very harsh reality but that’s how it was.”

EFL boss explains system

DAVID WETHERALL reckons it is tougher to make it in football now — but believes academies give youngsters the best chance.

The former Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford defender is the EFL’s head of youth development.

He said: “The system from when I came through has changed beyond recognition.

“Sheffield Wednesday had a team in the local Sunday league right up to under-16s when I was playing.

“We trained a couple of nights a week and played against local teams.

“There are more professional coaches now with far greater expertiseand far better support services.

“Young players now have to be so much better to get that opportunity at first-team level. Academies are structured to do that.”

Wetherall said the number of EFL debuts was “pleasing”. But he warned against giving kids too much too soon.

QPR boss Ian Holloway recently proposed a wage cap until a player has played a number of first-team games.

Wetherall added: “It’s important players have a hunger to keep improving.”

Sordell remembers being a bag of nerves but fortunately he impressed enough to land a move to Watford, which led to a career that has seen him play in the Premier League and for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics.

The 25-year-old recalled: “The only good thing about it was that you were sat in a dressing room with ten other boys who are in the exact same position as you.

“Everyone is nervous and anxious but you all know you might as well enjoy it because afterwards that could be it.

“It is a nerve-wracking wait to find out what’s come of it, and it’s at the time when you’re doing your GCSEs as well, which people make out to be a massive deal at the time, so you have that added pressure as well.